Rob Collard has confirmed he will stay at West Surrey Racing for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Toruing Car Championship.
The news ensures that Collard and WSR will enjoy their 10th season together in BTCC, the 48-year-old joining Andrew Jordan and Colin Turkington in the three-car line-up for the coming season.
Collard will once again drive one of the team’s WSR-designed-and-built BMW 125i M Sport machines, claiming two race wins and six podiums in 2016 alongside a season-highest tally of four fastest laps.
Collard will participate in a week-long test with WSR in Spain, starting on February 27.
“It’s fantastic to be staying with WSR,” said Collard. “They have a pedigree like no other team in the BTCC and the level of professionalism and preparation that has been key to their success is clear to see in everything they do.
“This will be my 10th season with the team and I plan to use that continuity to my advantage. I took my first BTCC win and my first podium with WSR and now my aim is to take my first title with them too. With Colin and Andrew as my team-mates, I think we have the strongest line-up in the championship and I can’t wait to start testing the latest development of the BMW later this month.”
Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, said “we’re very pleased to continue our partnership with Rob, who has raced with WSR for the past seven seasons – including the entire BMW 125i M Sport programme.
“He’s very much part of the family here, is one of the best drivers in the BTCC for pure racing ability and played a pivotal role in WSR’s constructors’ and teams’ title successes in 2016. I don’t see any reason why he can’t be a title contender again.”
The deal with WSR means that just one seat is available for the coming campaign – BMR still to sign their fourth driver.
